Archive for March, 2009

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Fil Schwartz asked:


One thing that scares a lot of people away from getting a dog is having to take it for walks throughout the day. This nuisance can be eliminated by training the dog to go in a litter box. Litter box training a dog is often seen as an impossible task, but with the right tools, it is actually fairly easy. Here are the 3 simple steps.

1. You must obtain all the necessary products to begin training. Obviously, you will need a litter box so you can start showing the dog it’s new area for potty. Another necessity is dog litter or cat litter. At the pet store, they will recommend you this “new and improved” dog litter. I haven’t had any more success with this than I have with the kitty litter. You can go ahead and choose whichever you want, but personally, I could recommended either one and be happy doing so. Another absolute necessity is a spray product with a pheromone scent. Write this word down, and take it in to the nearest pet store and ask them if they have a spray with the pheromone chemical in it. This chemical is found in urine and when a dog sniffs it, it causes them to want to use the bathroom, because their “territorial marking” senses kick in.

2. If your dog is on a schedule to go outside already, this will be much easier for you than those who haven’t even house broken their pets or haven’t put their dog on a schedule. If on a schedule, when it is time to go outside, put the leash on and get ready like you are taking them outside for a walk. But instead of going outside, bring them to the litter box and spray a little bit of the pheromone in the litter. This helps with litter box training a dog because they will then go in the litter box, and after a couple times, they will realize this is the right place to go!

3. When litter box training a dog, the litter changing is the exact same as with a cat. You remove all of the waste, or just dump out all of the litter, and then you replace the old with new litter! Best of luck to you!

Check out the resource box below to find out more information on how to train a dog to use a litterbox.

It is almost that easy to train a dog to use a litterbox… But there is one important aspect that cannot be left out. If you really want to be successful in litterbox training your dog,feel free to visit my site where I disclose the full method. View the full version of this article here.



Ethan Parker asked:


It’s funny how many dog-training guides there are available. All the information you could ever want on how to teach your dog tricks; how to communicate with your dog; how to understand what your dog’s thinking; how to prevent behavioral problems.

Why aren’t there more books on how to do all this for cats? After all, cats are just as popular as dogs (if not more so); and, arguably, they’re just as intelligent and just as capable of being trained.

For example: my cat’s ridiculous amount of scratching up furniture.  The two things I didn’t do – but should have – were place a phone-call to that new acquaintance (I’m afraid my pride got in my way: I fostered fond dreams of casually unveiling my cat’s mastery of a stunning array of tricks and obedience work the next time she dropped around); and I didn’t even think of looking online until my husband (who, as chance would have it, works in internet marketing) castigated me gently for not “Googling” the subject straight away.

So I hopped onto the computer, and within five minutes I’d found what I was looking for in the Complete Cat Training Guide; and it was clear to me within just a few pages that the author, Paula Robb, is a woman who really knows what she’s talking about …

So What’s Included?

Let me get one thing straight: although this is a book that will teach you (among other commands) how to get your cat to beg, jump, twirl, stay, sit, come, open cupboards, kiss, play dead, and retrieve, that’s by no means all that you’ll learn.

Something I found incredibly useful was the book’s total-coverage philosophy: pretty much all aspects of cat ownership have been covered, in real detail.

For example, as well as cat training, you also get information on how to fix just about ANY cat problem (this is no baseless claim – over twenty-five cat behavioral problems are covered, from urine-marking to nocturnal disturbances to aggression).  There is a real-life case study for each problem (which is a real help when it comes to putting the information into context), and you learn about your cat’s body language and vocals, and how to use that knowledge to understand what he’s thinking and how to communicate with him.

If that isn’t enough for you, there are also numerous interesting chapters on crucial things to know like choosing the right cat for you; understanding feline behaviors both “good” and “bad”; how to help your cat adapt to your lifestyle and home; how to toilet-train your cat; and two whole sections on cat health and nutrition, all of which goes a long way towards deepening and strengthing your relationship with your cat.

Other Benefits

I sometimes find it hard to understand written instructions. It can be kind of confusing, especially when you’re also trying to control a wriggling, energetic cat. That’s why the clear step-by-step photographs and illustrations came in so handy with the training strategies: I actually understood exactly how to position myself and make the most of my body language during the training. It made the whole process a lot easier – and a whole lot faster!

Something else I liked: the book was instantly downloadable. This is a pretty big deal to me; I don’t like paying for something, then waiting days (usually weeks) for it to be shipped overseas, processed through the post, and then – likely as not – delivered to the wrong address. What I do like is instant gratification, which is exactly what I got with Complete Cat Training: seconds after paying my money, the book was downloaded onto my computer and I was gleefully reading through it.

The Best Bits

I don’t really understand how this woman can be making any money off her product, because she seems to be giving away a lot of stuff for free (but hey, I’m not complaining!)

Here are just a few of the handy little freebies that I got with my book:

- Two free bonus books: “The Essential Cat Recipe Book”, which shows you how to prepare tasty, healthy meals and treats for your beloved kitty; and “The Ultimate Guide to Pampering Your Cat”, which shows you how to develop a real bond of affection with your cat through improving his quality of life.

- A free, private email consultation (worth $120) with a team of real live cat trainers. Any problems that you have, any queries whatsoever, and all you have to do is send an email – you’ll get a detailed, personal reply from a team of seasoned cat trainers, to make sure any problems are truly resolved to your satisfaction. Not bad.

In a Nutshell

Two words: it’s good. You really can’t go wrong here; not only is the whole thing jam-packed with practical advice and hands-on tips, but the price is extremely reasonable: just $37 for the book, the consultation, and the bonus books.

And if you’re not convinced it’s worth parting with your money, there’s also a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee for 60 whole days after making the purchase.  Yes, it works, and you will get your money back if you ask for it (of course, then you’ll lose access to the system).

All in all, I have no qualms whatsoever about recommending Complete Cat Training to anyone who’s got, or is thinking about getting, a cat.  It’s put out by the same people behind the SitStayFetch dog training system, which I highly recommend, so you know it’s good.

Basically, whether it’s training, behavioral problems, trouble-shooting, or improving your relationship with your beloved kitty, you’re sure to learn something useful.

So if you want to stop cat biting, cat spraying, cat aggression, or other common cat training problems, this is a great place to start.  Enjoy!



Katia Lorenzen asked:


Clicker training is a form of positive reinforcement in the field of operant conditioning wherein the clicking sound from a mechanical device marks a desired behavior in animal training. Contrary to popular belief, clicker training is not solely for dog training. This form of procedure is also popular among horses, cats and other pets.

Originally, clicker training was used as a method of obedience training for such unlikely trainees like dolphins in wild animal shows and carrier pigeons for military courier services.

Why clicker training works

The process works via association. If an animal performs a specific task according to the instruction it is given, reward is granted immediately, accompanied always by the clicking sound. The animal soon associates the clicking sound as a means to a promised reward. The longer the training process continues, the easier it is for the animal to follow instructions.

By far, this is the gentlest type of obedience training. Using force and punishment to bolster obedience in animals has always been a controversial issue. This issue is always weighed against traditional training versus the merits of such practice in the long term psychological health of the animal. Negative reinforcement may be in the form of aversive methods, caging, choke collars, force, punishment, sprays, and /or withholding of food or toy. Behavioral training using rewards has proven that animals subjected to this learn new behaviors easier, quicker and with more enthusiasm. They also end up healthier in body and mind.

With dog training, the clicker training method seems to work better than the other forms of positive reinforcement like food, positive attention, praise and voice reinforcements. This is due to the fact that the click pinpoints the “desired” behavior exactly. This eliminates the guesswork on the part of the animal, making the process go faster. Incredibly, animals using this method have learned new things in one to three clicks only, as compared to the weeks and months in conventional non-clicker training.

The clicker training provides a consistent marker in which the dog receives the same information. Also, the sound of the clicker is very distinct, which distracts the dog’s attention from the other stimuli in the environment. Unlike verbal rewards like praise and verbal reinforcements, a clicker conveys no emotion whatsoever; thus the learning process is not marred by accidental slips of approval or disapproval in the voice of the instructor.

This kind of training seems also to work on puppies that are only several weeks old. This means that basic obedience, good manners and fun games can be taught to the animal at an early age. Family members and / or pert owners can be incorporate a bit of “clicking” in their daily routines. A walk to the park, a family picnic, or even watching TV can become a little training session for the animal. This informal mode of training even helps strengthen the bond between the animal and its instructor / pet owner. Clicker training is proving to be the most effective form of obedience instruction so far.



  

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